Community News May 2013

May 1, 2013

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Buddhist Festival in the Park

Saturday, June 1• 11 am – 4:30 pm

Colonel Summers Park

SE 17th and Taylor

The place to be June 1 is You are Here, the 10th Annual Buddhist Festival in Colonel Summers Park. Awareness of being here takes practice and Buddhists of many stripes are ready to share the way they navigate to this place right here.

Buddhism provides a refuge, a shelter allowing practitioners to sustain joy in the midst of suffering. It provides a way to navigate confusing and twisty paths, and helps people move from ways riddled with anger and fear to calm centeredness.

This tenth year of a Buddhist festival in the park is cause for celebration. The event gives the opportunity to introduce Buddhism to the curious, and it also gives people of different communities a chance to meet and compare teachings and share smiles.

Different Portland communities will be represented at the booths. Pure Land, Zen, Vajrayana, Vipassana, and non-sectarian groups will share information about their communities.

The festival is free and everyone is welcome and organizers ask for mindfulness regarding waste.

Community Owned Food Co-op

By Matthew Darcy

Wholesome food. Value. A future that is sustainable. A Food Co-op can help provide all of these things to a community. It can also help boost local economies and create bonds between community and farmer: between you and your food.

A Food Co-op is a member-owned distribution outlet for foodstuffs. Decisions regarding all aspects of the business are made by the members or the members’ democratically elected representatives in the form of a Board. The Co-op is shaped by the community and will reflect the values of those involved. More simply, a Food Co-op is a grocery store owned by members of the community: you and your neighbors.

According to a study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Food Co-ops accounted for approximately 15,000 jobs and $250 million in wages and benefits. A study done by the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) found that $1,000 spent at a Food Co-op generates $1,600 in local economic activity.

Because a Co-op is owned and managed by members of the community it serves, it can be pro-active about its environmental impact. A study in California showed that Co-ops recycled at a greater rate than conventional retail grocery outlets. Co-ops also take a leading role in energy conservation, besting retail grocery outlets’ average Energy Star rating by a wide margin.

Since Co-ops are democratically controlled, Member-Owners are able to determine where the food they offer comes from based on Co-op values—not corporate shareholder expectations. Co-ops purchase local foods at a much higher rate than conventional retail groceries—over 40% more. This also reduces the amount of energy needed to get the food to your home—the closer the source of the food, the less fuel needed to get it to your kitchen. About 17% of all the energy used in the US is for our food supply. Through Co-ops, we can reduce that percentage and the total energy use in the US as a result.

Co-ops have a history of making communities healthier and happier. They promote engagement between community members and help drive local economies. They can enrich our lives and help provide a better world now and in the future.

Experience Japanese culture in your own home. An enriching experience for families, host families can donate a portion of their stipend to a specific school, preschool, neighborhood project, group, church, etc., creating a fundraising event. There are a total of 5 short-term summer hosting opportunities (2-15 days).

For more information: Sylvia Groce with Azumano International at 503.260.8569 sgroce@azumano.com

May is Bike Month

In celebration of National Bike Month, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is holding over a dozen events, including rides, clinics and refreshment stations to encourage people to bike and thank those currently riding.

PBOT will be serving coffee and doughnuts to people biking at locations throughout the city:

May 7: Pacific Northwest College of Art, NW 13th Ave. and Johnson St.

May 9: St Johns Plaza, N Lombard St. and N Philadelphia Ave.

May 14: I-205 Multi-use path at E Burnside St.

May 16: SE 39th Ave. and Lincoln St.

May 21: SW Barbur Blvd. at Hamilton St.

May 23: NE Sacramento St. and 67th Ave.

One location, decided by the most votes received, will be served eggs-in-a-basket and fresh brewed coffee from Trailhead Roasters’ cargo bike cafe.

Vote for your favorite location and see a full list of events at www.pdxbikemonth.com.

Buckman schedules fluoride debate

Buckman Community Association has scheduled a debate on the proposed fluoridation of Portland’s drinking water, with advocates for and against the proposal, for their May 9 general membership meeting, 7 p.m. at the Multnomah County building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. All are welcome.

Foot Clinic SE Multicultural Center

Healthy Feet partners with NW Impact to provide RN foot care to seniors at the SE Multicultural Service Center, 4610 SE Belmont St. the second Tuesday of each month.

A registered nurse will offer a 45 minute session to wash and assess the feet, trim toenails, reduce calluses and corns and provide health education and medical referral if necessary.

The nurse specializes in foot care for seniors with diabetes and for those on blood thinners.

For details or to see other clinic sites offered by Healthy Feet, go to www.healthyfeetnurses.com

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park Annual Meeting/Winter Program

By Gayle Marechal

The 13th annual meeting of Friends of Mt. Tabor Park and Winter Program was held in March. Featured speaker, Gerard Lillie, member of the Portland Audubon Society who helps lead bird walks in the park, showed slides of Mt. Tabor’s year-round feathered residents as well as those that migrate through during spring and fall who spend winter in the park.

The program included a presentation by board member Gayle Marechal of the FMTP Friend of the Year Award to Nancy and Beau Russell, recognized for their work with Friends and the foot patrol. The Russells moved to Portland in 2007 and joined soon after meeting Dave Hillman while walking in the park. They quickly became involved at many levels and are members of the foot patrol. Beau is currently on the board where he is vice-chair and trails committee coordinator. Nancy and Beau have been the co-coordinators of the Foot Patrol for the past two years and have assisted at the summer concerts the past five years.

Bipartisan Cafe in the Montevilla neighborhood on SE Stark, was awarded Honorary FMTP membership in recognition of the restarant’s support through its contribution of pies which are sell out at the July concerts in the park. Receiving the award for Bipartisan were its owners Hobie Bender and Peter Emerson.

Three individuals were elected to three-year board member terms: Bing Wong (new), Anne Crispino-Taylor (new) and Patty Turner (continuing).

Nature Explodes at Leach

With volcanoes as the theme, this year’s Leach Botanical Garden Children’s Nature Fair promises to be a blast.

God’s Gifts of Life and Love- A Hymn Festival is a special service at Tabor Heights on Sunday, May 12 and includes musicians from Tabor Heights and the community including Ken Finch on cello, Lynne Finch and Ron Williams on violins, Dagny Regan on english horn, Ken Regan, piano and oboe, Mike Regan on bass, and the Tabor Heights Choir, Children’s Choir, and Handbell ensembles, directed by organist Helen Hollenbeck. Special settings of the hymns are being planned for all to sing.

Service is at 11 am, Tabor Heights United Methodist Church, 6161 SE Stark St.

Vertical Gardening will be presented by Harry Olson, Salem Veteran Master Gardener. His presentation was one of the most popular at the 2012 Master Gardener Mini College, and his amazing garden was an option for evening garden tours.

Olson lives on a small lot in suburban Salem. His house is 20 feet from the side yard and back yard fence, yet he is able to produce more food than many people with several times as much space.

He uses several techniques to make the most of his space, including trellising vegetables that normally sprawl across the ground and using more productive versions of plants such as grafted tomatoes. He also has espaliered fruit trees and raised beds, to make gardening easier.

If you’ve wondered if the extra cost of grafted vegetables is worth it, you will be very interested in the results from test trials that Olson and another Master Gardener conducted at the Marion County demonstration garden.

The May 14 program will be held at 6:45 pm at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., parking on SE 54th Ave.

High tech advances in insulation

For some, the last burst of seasonal chill can mean the difference between paying one higher heating bill and buying groceries. For the past 30 years, Community Energy Project has been helping to alleviate the sting of inefficient home heating. Now, their outreach has been accelerated with the purchase of an infrared camera, the latest in detection technology that diagnoses heat loss.

A grant from Advantis Credit Union and their GROW Community Fund helped with the purchase of the camera. Advantis developed the GROW Community Fund in 2011 to assist Portland area non-profits with their missions of helping some of the most vulnerable in the community. By creating an annual fund of $50,000 to bolster small- and medium-sized non-profits with grants up to $10,000.

The high-tech camera pinpoints energy-related problems that Energy Project can resolve by creating customized solutions – home by home. The camera measures temperatures and allows a look into walls to assess potential opportunities for efficiency and improvement. Nooks and crannies are identified where heat can escape, and additional issues detected are home sealing, moisture problems and wiring. After a home has been analyzed, Community Energy Project develops a custom prescription, which can include insulation and ventilation upgrades as well as safety and health upgrades.

For more information contact: www.communityenergyproject.org or 503.284.6827.

Historic Walking Tour of Buckman

In honor of May’s National Preservation Month, take an interesting and informative tour of the oldest part of Buckman. The tour with noted guide Khris Soden, begins at 4 pm Saturday, May 4 at the C.A. Ball House, 546 SE 14th St. The tour will cover 12 locations, showcasing the diversity of the Buckman neighborhood. It will end with a wine and snack party at ENSO wine bar, snacks courtesy of the Buckman Historic Association, cash bar.

The tour will repeat Saturday, May 11 at 4 pm. $10 donation suggested.

RSVP to Historic.Buckman@gmail.com to be assured of a spot.

82nd Avenue Workshop – There will be a public workshop on the future of East 82nd Ave. May 4 from 10 am to 1 pm, at Madison High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave. Participants will discuss topics including future streetscape design, business development, community safety and sustainable transportation. There will be food courtesy of Mekong Bistro. The event is co-sponsored by the Central Northeast Neighbors and Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program coalitions. For more information call 503.232.0010.

Cleveland High School’s College & Career Center hosts College Planning Night for students and parents of the classes of 2014 and 2015 May 7 at 7 pm. Current CHS seniors will talk about the college application and acceptance process, followed by five presentations that will be repeated so that attendees may hear two different sessions during the evening. Experts in their fields will speak on “Paying for College”, “Parenting Through the College Admissions Process”, “Building A College List with Naviance”, “Playing College Sports”, and “Inside the College Admissions Office”. The evening begins at 7 pm in the Cleveland High School auditorium, 3400 SE 26th Ave.

Presents of Mind, 3633 SE Hawthorne Blvd., is collecting non-perishable food for the Oregon Food Bank through May 12 in honor of Mother’s Day. Help feed the hungry and give one lucky winner chance at a $100 gift certificate for services from our favorite stylist at Spruce Salon! Each food item donated gets an extra entry in the contest drawing.

May Faire is Saturday, May 11, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at 3829 SE 74th Ave. Join Wild Lilac for their annual May Faire celebration! This free, community event is on SE 74th Ave. at their new location. There’ll be food, activities, music, Maypole Dance and Puppet Show. Wild Lilac Child Development Community provides child-centered and developmentally appropriate care and education for children from six weeks to six years of age, as well as support services for children and their families. 503.236.2340, wildlilac.org .

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Treat Mom to our Viking All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes Breakfast including sides of eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, applesauce, orange juice, tea and bottomless coffee Sunday May 12 8:30 am to 1 pm. Adults: $7, Children 5-12: $3 (under 5: free). Children’s Nordic story time at 10 am. It’s the best breakfast deal in town, and served with Norwegian charm that will make Mom feel special. Norwegian Constitution Day Celebration is May 17. Join the Grand Flag Parade (rain or shine!) starting at 6 pm in front of Norse Hall. This colorful parade includes members in national costumes, Norwegian Fjord horses, marching bands, and vintage cars. Flags and Nordic treasures will be on sale, and you can enter a raffle to win some fun prizes. Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave, 503.236.3401, www.norsehall.org

Together We Prepare – Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) co-sponsor Together We Prepare, Wednesday May 8 at 7 pm at the Hawthorne Gardens dining room, 2828 SE Taylor. This presentation by the American Red Cross will cover the kinds of disasters, both human-caused and natural, that could occur in Portland, how to make a 72-hour disaster supply kit, and how to make a safety plan for oneself and one’s family. Following the presentation, Jeremy Van Keuren, NET Program Specialist from the City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Management will talk about what NET teams can do in a disaster, how they are trained, and how people can join can join. Preregistration is at www.goo.gl/a0tHS. A special door prize will be available to people attending who have preregistered. For info, contact Jacob Worek, sunnysidenetteam@gmail.com. A workshop is scheduled for Saturday, June 1 from 9 am-12:30 pm at the: Central Christian Church, 1844 SE Cesar Chavez Blvd. This is Workshop #1–Every Plan Begins at Home–in a series of four. Topics will include: Why Plan? – The importance of a plan and getting informed. Household Plan – What steps to take to create your own household plan. Local Resources and Information

Taoist Tai Chi – Offering four new Beginner classes starting Wednesday May 1 at 4:30 pm. The next is Sunday May 5 at 10:30. Another class begins Monday May 6 at 4:30 to 6 pm and Monday May 6 at 6 pm. These 90 minute classes meet weekly for four months and the complete 108-move set will be instructed. The Taoist Tai Chi Center is located at 2251 NE Glisan. Call 503.220.5970 or www.oregon.usa.taoist.org

UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY – Thursday, May 9, 6:30 pm. There are three kinds of anxiety. Learn how to deal effectively with anxious feelings. Offered as a public service by mental health counselor Tina Gilbertson. No registration required, just drop in. Classroom opens at 6:15 pm. No food or pets, please. 1235 SE Division St., #207. Always check for last-minute updates at www.TinaGilbertson.com.

Taborvilla Little League has been awarded a generous donation from the Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation. The newly-formed league league received new uniforms for all of the players in its various divisions, including children ages 4-13. For more information contact James Mears at 503.453.6382 or jamesmmears@clear.net.

Taiko’s 8th Annual Benefit Banquest–Thursday, May 30, 7 pm at Wong’s King Seafood Restaurant, 8733 SE Division. This benefit is a fun evening of eating, drinking, purchasing mystery origami, and enjoying the sounds of taiko. This annual benefit for Portland Taiko’s programs affirms Asian American pride, inspires audiences, builds community, and educates about the Asian culture and heritage. Tickets are $60 (includes a $30.00 tax-deductible donation) available online at www.portlandtaiko.org/benefit-banquet or by calling 503.288.2456.

register for summer swim lessons at Portland Parks & Recreation pools. The PPR Aquatics Department offers swim lessons for all ages and skill levels. Advance online registration is underway. Go to www.PortlandParks.org, click on the Activities and select Registration. Register by mail or by phone. Call 503.823.5130 to get a summer program guide and lesson registration form mailed to you.